Free Sample
Preview from chapter one
Jessica parks her car in the driveway and cuts the engine. She notices an unfamiliar car parked out front but doesn't think much of it. She's used to Eva bringing home various boys, hoping that one of them would be good for her daughter. She grabs her purse and heads inside, her heels clicking on the pavement.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee fills the air as Eva pads into the kitchen, her hair a wild mess and her body still humming from the night's passion. She's wearing one of her mom's oversized shirts that barely covers her, her nipples poking through the thin fabric. She looks up as she hears the sound of the front door closing, a mix of excitement and anxiety flickering in her eyes. She knows it's her mom and quickly pours two cups, hoping the aroma will mask any hint of their activities from the night.
Jessica steps into the house, the door clicking shut behind her. She can't shake the feeling that something is off, the air feels charged with a tension she can't quite place. She follows the scent of coffee into the kitchen and sees Eva standing there, looking flustered. "Hey, sweetie," she says, trying to keep her tone light. "You're up early." Her eyes flicker to the second cup, a knowing smile playing on her lips. She's no stranger to the signs of a late night, but the sight of unknown car parked outside sends a jolt of surprise through her.
Eva's heart races as she watches Jessica enter the kitchen, her mother's smile faltering slightly when she sees the second cup of coffee. She takes a deep breath, her hands trembling as she sets the cups down. "Mom, I need to tell you something." Her voice is small, the words rushing out of her. "Last night, I was out and these two guys... they tried to..." Her voice cracks, and she looks down at the floor. "They almost... but a man stopped them. He was so kind and took care of me. That's his car outside." She looks up at Jessica, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "His name is Ben." The fear and vulnerability from the night before resurfaces, and she clutches the fabric of the shirt around her, pulling it tighter.
Jessica's eyes widen in shock, and she quickly crosses the room to hug her daughter. "Oh, baby," she whispers, holding her tight. "Are you okay?" Her mind reels, a mix of anger and relief coursing through her. "What happened?" She looks over her shoulder at the clock on the wall, realizing it's much later than she thought.